R.V. Actinia safety policy

Field Studies Council (Scotland) Research Vessel Safety Code
Research Vessel Safety Code for RV Actinia
1. General:
1.1
The Research Vessel (RV) Actinia operates to conditions set by the
Department of Transport (DoT) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA),
and must also conform to the requirements of the relevant Merchant Vessel
legislation. As such, RV Actinia is operated in accordance with the Code of Practice
for the Safety of Small Workboats and Pilot Boats (Brown Code), the Code of Safe
Working Practices for Merchant Seamen (CSWPMS), and the Fishing Vessel Safety
Guide; a guide to safe working practices and emergency procedures for fishermen
(FVSG). All operations and activities carried out on board RV Actinia must also
comply with the Field Studies Council Operational Codes of Practice (OCoP).
1.2
A copy of the CSWPMS and the FVSG are kept on board RV Actinia for
reference, and each crew member is issued with a copy of the FVSG. Copies of all
FSC OCoPs are present in the main office ashore at FSC Millport.
1.3
It is the duty of the Skipper to ensure that these statutory requirements are
observed on board. Nothing in the FSC (Scotland) Research Vessel Safety Code
shall relieve him of this duty to safeguard the ship and all on board. To this end, he
shall at his absolute discretion take such actions as he may consider necessary.
1.4
The Senior Boat Support Officer (Millport) is responsible for assisting the
Skipper in discharging this duty by interpreting the various MCA, DoT and FSC
Codes of Practice and their application to operations carried out on board RV
Actinia, and maintaining the vessel in a seaworthy state compliant with any relevant
legislation.
2. Responsibilities:
2.1
The Skipper of RV Actinia has overall responsibility for the safety of the
research vessel and all persons on board, and may issue orders accordingly. In
these matters, his word is final.
2.2
The Skipper will provide for the instruction of non-crew on board on safety
precautions and emergency procedures, and ensure that the locations of safety
equipment and rescue aids are known. Vessel users should seek advice from the
Skipper or crew if they are uncertain about any safety matter.
2.3
However, the Teacher/Lecturer/Scientist-in-Charge (Person-in-Charge) also
has a responsibility for safety, and should liaise with the Skipper regarding those
aspects of safety which are more related to teaching and scientific operations than to
the hazards of sea-going.
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5th May 2014
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Field Studies Council (Scotland) Research Vessel Safety Code
2.4
Every person on board has a duty to take reasonable care for the health and
safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions,
and as regards any duty or requirement imposed on the Skipper or any other person
by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions or Codes of Practice, to cooperate with them so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be
performed or complied with.
2.5
The Skipper will make every effort to help vessel users achieve their
objectives on board, but must be kept fully informed by the Person-in-Charge of any
strategy, procedures and safety implications thereof. If he considers any procedure
to be unsafe in given sea conditions then his decision will prevail.
2.6
In consultation with the Skipper, the Person-in-Charge should alter or
abandon any part of the cruise programme if there is a necessity to do so on safety
grounds.
2.7
Before embarkation, Course Leaders must provide the FSC Millport Office
with a name list of students and staff that will be onboard the RV Actinia at any one
time. No more than 14 persons may be carried on board RV Actinia; normally there
are 2 crew on board and 12 staff/students. There may be occasions when more crew
are required to be on board; the number of other persons on board must therefore be
reduced.
2.8
The Person-in-Charge must ensure that any staff or students on board are
aware of the hazards posed by any materials or equipment brought on board, and
are properly trained and supervised to carry out the scientific aspects of their work at
sea safely. The skipper and crew must also be kept informed of any hazards from
equipment or materials brought on board by the Person-in-Charge.
2.9 A Student conducting research work from the vessel will only do so following
approval of his/her Supervisor and the Senior Boat Support Officer. The Skipper
must be kept fully informed of any such arrangements. When on board without
his/her supervisor, the student will be designated as Person-in-Charge.
2.10 Any potential hazards identified by teaching/research staff or students on
board should be brought to the attention of the Skipper or Person-in-Charge as soon
as possible and resolved on board if possible. Such problems must also be reported
in writing to the Senior Boat Support Officer once ashore. Any accident, incident or
near-miss should be dealt with by the Skipper or the Senior Boat Support Officer in
accordance with reporting procedures outlined in FSC OCoPs IM13 and IM14.
2.11 No person on board shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse
anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of
the relevant statutory provisions; for example fire extinguishers, flares or liferafts.
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Field Studies Council (Scotland) Research Vessel Safety Code
2.12 Prior to embarking, all persons must inform both the Skipper and Senior Boat
Support Officer of any existing medical conditions which would affect either their own
safety or that of others on board, in order that proper precautions can be taken. For
visiting classes, this will have been carried out during the booking process. Crew will
have either an ENG1 or ML5 Medical Certificate.
3. Boarding and Leaving the vessel.
3.1
Care should be taken when boarding and leaving vessels. Under normal
circumstances, embarkation and disembarkation should only take place at a pier with
staging consisting of landings and steps. The use of vertical ladders should be
avoided except as a last resort. Vessel movement presents a crushing hazard,
particularly in the region of the gunwale and A-frame.
3.2
All persons on board shall wear the compact auto-inflation lifejackets
provided, and a crew member will explain their operation and supervise donning
prior to embarkation. Lifejackets should only be removed when back ashore. When
at sea, the Skipper may require these lifejackets to be exchanged for DoT rigid foam
lifejackets should conditions require it.
3.3
The crew will provide assistance with loading equipment and personal
baggage, which should not be carried out by visitors on board without consulting with
the Skipper.
3.4
Particular care should be exercised when transferring personnel between
boats at moorings or at sea, and should not be carried out in normal circumstances.
The Skipper will direct such operations.
4. Safety on Deck.
4.1
On board, the Skipper will issue appropriate PPE (lifejacket; safety harness;
hearing protection; safety helmet; gloves) when necessary.
4.2
Vessel users should wear their own appropriate protective clothing (e.g.
waterproofs, thermal clothing, non-slip footwear, etc.) The provision of such clothing
is the responsibility of the employer of the vessel user. If the Skipper considers any
person ill-equipped for the prevailing weather conditions then he will require that
person to remain ashore.
4.3
When docked, care should be taken not to stand on deck underneath cranes
or jibs operating overhead, or in the way of equipment being loaded or unloaded.
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Field Studies Council (Scotland) Research Vessel Safety Code
4.4
All persons on board must keep clear of the running parts of winches, warps,
wire, blocks and any overhead tackle. Similarly, all persons should keep clear of any
gear, ropes and wires on deck, particularly if this is equipment to be deployed over
the side. The Skipper or crew will brief any persons on board about any such
hazards on embarkation, and will point out safe deck areas to be occupied during the
deployment and retrieval of gear, and during arrival and departure from the pier.
4.5
Crew will normally handle most sampling equipment, but may require
instruction from the Person-in-Charge in the operation of specialized or unfamiliar
equipment. It may be necessary for scientific staff to assist the crew in the operation
of certain pieces of equipment, and a satisfactory working arrangement should be
formulated prior to setting out, in consultation with the Skipper, crew and Senior Boat
Support Officer.
4.6
Equipment must not be deployed or operated by scientific or teaching staff or
students unless permission has been given by the Skipper.
4.7
Portable equipment and effects should be safely stowed in transit and when
not in use.
4.8
Any work at height will require special consideration and will almost always be
restricted to the crew.
5. Use of Chemicals on Board.
5.1
Because of space, motion and ventilation problems and the lack of immediate
medical attention, hazards arising from the use of chemicals at sea require special
consideration.
5.2
No chemicals may be brought on board without prior consultation with the
Senior Boat Support Officer and the Skipper.
5.3
It is the responsibility of the Person-in-Charge to ensure that the toxicity,
flammability or other dangerous properties of any materials brought on board are
fully researched, documented, and communicated to the Skipper, Senior Boat
Support Officer and all persons who may come into contact with the substance.
5.4
The Person-in-Charge must also prepare clear procedures for their use, safe
storage, and arrangements for dealing with an emergency.
5.5
In addition to any statutory requirements, use of any materials on board RV
Actinia should comply with the procedures set out in the FSC OCoP IM16 (Use and
Management of Substances Hazardous to Health).
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5th May 2014
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